Mr. Marilyn Monroe

May 6, 2010

Was wandering in Shinjuku last Monday (after finding out Cafe Narshisus is closed every Monday, D’oh!) when I came upon the Larsen Cafe. On the road alongside the Shinjuku Prince Hotel, it’s a cafe/bar run by the indefatigable Shibata-san. He’s 70 years old and has owned the Larsen for 44 years. (It’s now in it’s 3rd location in Shinjuku). A couple dozen Marilyn Monroe photos hang in the place; when I asked about them he said ‘Well you know, for guys my age Marilyn is a goddess.’

Mr. OK Jazz is a 20+ year resident of Japan and spends all his free time wandering the Kanto area looking for jazz cafes, bars, clubs and record stores. For two years he hosted the OK Jazz radio show on InterFM Radio, currently the OK Jazz podcast. You can reach him at *protected email*

TOKYO JAZZ SITE

A guide to Jazz bars, clubs, cafes and shops in the Tokyo and Yokohama city areas. Also home to the OK Jazz Podcast, playing World Music, Jazz, Soul, Funk, Blues and more, also info about live music events, gigs and festivals around town.